Wenham Connects: An Age and Dementia Friendly Needs Assessment Caitlin Coyle, PhD Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging Gerontology Institute & Department John W. McCormack School of Policy & Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston October 2018 Commissioned by the Town of Wenham Council on Aging
Acknowledgments This project would not have been possible without the support from: Jim Reynolds, Director, Wenham Council on Aging Peggy Cahill, Age-Friendly Consultant The Wenham Museum for their space All of the Wenham residents, organizations, and municipal departments for their valuable input
Outline of Today’s Presentation The Age and Dementia Friendly framework Strategies used to hear from Wenham Wenham Characteristics and Recommendations by Age-Friendly Domain Discussion
Age-Friendly Framework The Eight Domains of an Age-Friendly Community • Enables people of all ages to actively participate in community activities and treats everyone with respect , regardless of their age • Makes it easy for older people to stay connected to people who are important to them • Helps people stay healthy and provides support to those who can no longer live independently
• Fostering meaningful Dementia Friendly access to and engagement in Community community life for people living with dementia and their family and friend care partners. • Each sector of community works to create an informed, safe and respectful community. • Prioritizing the promotion of quality of life for those living with dementia and their care partners.
Goals in Developing the Age and Dementia Friendly Wenham Report ‣ Develop an understanding of Wenham’s assets and concerns of the community ‣ Provide preliminary ideas for ways in which Wenham’s age and dementia friendly features may be improved ‣ Draw on resident and stakeholder input
Strategies for Learning about Wenham Review of Existing Data Five Key-Informant Interviews COA director Town Administrator Police Chief Fire Chief Permitting Coordinator & Special Projects Manager Four Focus Groups • Town Office Representatives • Representatives of nonprofits and other organizations serving Wenham • Wenham Residents (two Groups)
By 2030 Nearly 30% of Wenham Residents Will Be 60+ 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 MAPC SQ MAPC SR Donahue Alternative Donahue Vintage Sources: Population figures for 1990 through 2010 are from the U.S. Census. Projection figures are from the Donahue Institute and MAPC.
83% of Wenham Householders Age 60+ Own Their Home All householders 88% Householder 99% age 45 to 59 Householders 83% age 60+ Source: American Community Survey, 2012-2016, Tables B25007 and B25011 Numbers are calculated from 5-year survey estimates.
3 out of 10 Wenham Residents Age 65+ Live Alone Lives with others, 69% Lives alone, 30% [CATEGORY NAME], 1% Source: American Community Survey, 2012-2016, Table B09020. Numbers are calculated from 5-year survey estimates
Almost 3 in 10 Wenham Residents Age 65+ Report Having At Least 1 Disability [CATEGORY NAME], 71% Two or more disabilities, 13% One disability, 16% Source: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012-2016, Table C18108
Cross-Cutting Theme: Affordability and Economic Security Community Input: Suggestions from the Community: • Participants perceive that there is a Improve communication segment of the senior resident population that “can’t afford to live and publicity about the here” and yet they remain living in a Senior Tax Work Off vulnerable economic state. It is an Program and the Senior “invisible” need. Circuit Breaker Tax Credit. • Some participants observe a division Consider creating part-time between high- and low-income flexible employment residents. opportunities for seniors in Wenham. • Because Wenham lacks a commercial base, town finances rely on private homeowners.
Housing • Rural feel with access to urban areas • Lack of housing options to age in community • Prohibitive cost to live in Wenham, high property tax • Need for access to trustworthy home maintenance information Suggestions from the Community Develop co-housing models Create a mechanism for older residents to access trustworthy resources Develop more affordable downsizing options, including closer to the “center” of town Better educate the community on current zoning laws
Transportation • COA Van and Public transportation to Boston are assets • Limited local transportation options • Lack of walkable options Suggestions from the Community Recruit local residents to drive for Uber or Lyft Pilot-test use of the COA van for evening events or weekend programming Learn more about how Hamilton’s medical transportation system operates Generate a more creative slogan or name for the side of the COA van. For example, “Take a ride. You have earned it!”
Outdoor Spaces & Buildings • Beautiful trails and parks • Most municipal buildings are ADA compliant • Outdoor Spaces & Recreation plan includes several “age-friendly” action Suggestions from the Community Ensure all parks and trails in Wenham are accessible, including parking, benches and signage. Better promote the availability of local greenspace. Create increased “connectivity” in Wenham via sidewalks, paths or bike routes. Develop more destinations to walk to.
Communication & Information • The Wenhamite (COA); Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle; several social media pages Suggestions from the Community Make The Wenhamite available as an e-news listserve. Expand the content of The Wenhamite to include services and other community resources. Create an online senior services directory. Use the Town Meeting Warrant Articles mailing to distribute information about Wenham resources available. Create a “Welcome Packet”. Publicize a “senior information hotline” at the COA. Place suggestion boxes in high-traffic areas to gather programming ideas for the COA.
Social Participation • The Library, COA, Wenham Tea Room, and Wenham Museum • Lack of intergenerational communal space Suggestions from the Community Consider ways to expand the capacity of the COA, including increased collaboration with the Hamilton COA. Engage Gordon College to partner on programs that will foster intergenerational experiences. Expand the “Senior to Senior” day program and develop relationships between various departments in Wenham. Develop a technology “help desk” at local schools. Start a breakfast club. Encourage neighborhood block parties or meetings.
Community Supports & Health Services • Trend toward families being geographically dispersed leading to “long-distance” caregiving • Need for increased communication between residents, municipal departments, and organizations Suggestions from the Community Expand the social work capacity of the Town, COA. Explore opportunities to develop a “Village” program or “Neighbors Brigade” program. Target outreach and resource development for local and distant caregivers and include opportunities for respite. Continue to encourage residents to “check on their neighbors” during storms or extreme temperatures.
Civic Engagement & Employment • Wenham Citizen’s Leadership Academy • Fully-subscribed Senior tax work-off program benefits both residents and municipal departments • Many older residents are well-educated and experienced Suggestions from the Community Host the Citizen’s Leadership Academy during the day. Continue to ensure that older residents or a representative from the COA are involved in community planning. Limit board and committee terms to ensure healthy turnover. Engage in a systematic review of boards, committees and commissions to ensure mission statements are adhered to and that duplication or gaps in services are not occurring.
Respect & Social Inclusion • Limited spaces for residents to gather. • Divide between parents and older residents. • Residents leave after children graduate from school system diminishing a sense of community. Suggestions from the Community Continue to develop mechanisms to outreach, education, and support to families dealing with dementia. Consider re-messaging efforts at the COA to avoid inferences of ageism. Target engagement efforts at persons without children, including empty- nesters and seniors. For example, send a birthday to residents when they turn 60.
Recommended Priority Areas Housing Community Supports & Health Services Communication and Social Participation Information
Thank You! Caitlin Coyle, PhD Research Fellow, Center for Social & Demographic Research on Aging Gerontology Institute, John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy & Global Studies University of Massachusetts Boston Caitlin.Coyle@umb.edu voice: 617.287.7413
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